Inguinal hernia

[Professor smith]

I have been suspected of having an inguinal hernia. I am worried about surgery. Has anyone been through this? It's very common appraently.

I would rather not have surgery but I've been told it's the only way to fix it or else it wil grow but currently it only causes occasional pain.

[Ron E]

I had a similar surgery (not hernia, same area) that was much more invasive than what you will have to go through, I was back at work in less than 2 weeks - desk job wearing sweat pants, though. I would say 6 weeks to where I felt 95%. IF you have a small hernia, your incision will be small and recovery will be faster. I know several people who said the pain up until surgery was worse than the surgery and they felt great about the whole deal. I wouldn't let it go, because it will only be worse if you delay and the older you get....

[woody]

About a year ago I had my inguinal hernias repaired. Yes I had
to have both sides done. I had been puting it off for a long time
and woke up one morning to find one of them was a LOT worse
and had to be repaired. They couldn't do mine laparscopicly so
had to do it the old fasion way which was no fun. They will tell
you to start walking the day after the operation. I thaught they
were being sadistic but the truth is a 5 to 10min. walk kills 50 to
80% of the pain for a couple of hours or that was my experience
so I had 6 to 8 of these little walks every day that first week. And
expect to have a little swelling down there..... rember an ice pack
is your friend! Your dear dear friend!

[jackinnj]

There is one side effect which will have your wife repeating Lilli von Shtupp's famous line from "Blazing Saddles"

Moderator -- I apologize in advance for any offence which the aforementioned comment may engender.

[dave_gerecke]

Hello Prof. Smith, had Inguinal Hernia surgery back in 2003 (wow six years already). Having had two other surgeries in the abdominal/groinal region, this was by far the easiest to recover from. I spent a week in recovery at my parents, under the influence of opiate based pain killers. By the end of the week, the only pain I was feeling was a old injury to my lower back, unrelated to the surgery.
I understand your anxiety about the surgery, I wasn't thrilled with the idea either, but it wasn't bad at all. Good luck.

Peace,

Dave

[Professor smith]

Originally posted by jackinnj
There is one side effect which will have your wife repeating Lilli von Shtupp's famous line from "Blazing Saddles"

Moderator -- I apologize in advance for any offence which the aforementioned comment may engender.

Can you explain what you mean by this?

In fact I am concerned about possible damage to the testes or other changes in that area. There is the risk of long term damage elsewhere in the region.

Furthermore, I have read an article based on research that putting it off is an option for some people.

I am still young and I do not want complications however I believe I have had this for many years already and there is no evidence that it will become bigger and worse in my particular case.

Do they have to put you to sleep for it to be done?

[Ron E]

Originally posted by Professor smith
In fact I am concerned about possible damage to the testes or other changes in that area. There is the risk of long term damage elsewhere in the region.

IMO, this is likely also if you do nothing. The route in and out of your "boys" is via the inguinal canal, imagine what a restriction would do.

Originally posted by Professor smith
Furthermore, I have read an article based on research that putting it off is an option for some people.

Sure, but if your doctor is recommending it, perhaps you don't fall in that category. They really usually have your best interests in mind.

Originally posted by Professor smith
I am still young and I do not want complications however I believe I have had this for many years already and there is no evidence that it will become bigger and worse in my particular case.

The fact that it bothers you once in a while is evidence enough, IMO.

Originally posted by Professor smith
Do they have to put you to sleep for it to be done?

Not if you don't want it - they can do an epidural and sedate you. It makes recovery easier in some ways. An ice pack will be your best friend for a while - until someone else mentioned it, I forgot how well that worked! They gave me some good drugs anyway - although I don't see how anyone could get hooked on oxycodone - it dulls you....

[jackinnj]

Originally posted by Professor smith


Can you explain what you mean by this?

My surgeon said that in almost every case a hematoma develops -- this is like a black eye on your private parts -- goes away after a few days. Even if the good Lord gifted you with an abundance of melatonin it happens. Thus the reference to Madeleine Kahn. Don't worry, nothing gets elongated in the process.

If it's laperoscopic they give you a choice of watching or not.

So here's the amusing part -- when I called my doc the receptionist said that the normal guy was on vacation, and the other guy couldn't see me for a couple of days, but I could come in and be examined by the nurse practitioner. Well, there's nothing like a 60 year old gal pokin' around in those parts, but she says to me "Do you mind if we have one of the nursing student interns come in..."

When I told the story to my wife, she double-up with laughter.

If you don't want a nasty scar that makes you look like you;ve been through a Prussian dueling match, apply vitamin E to the afflicted area.

[tinitus]

Once heard a man who claimed to have a cure with simple saltwater

[jacco vermeulen]

Originally posted by jackinnj
Lilli von Shtupp's famous line from "Blazing Saddles"

Evewysieng.....ist kaput ?